Madam, - It is remarkable that in all accounts of the recent celebrations to mark the 80th year of the Gate Theatre, there has been no mention of the late Lord Longford who dedicated so much of his life and fortune to maintaining this theatre.
Indeed, the Gate would have had a very short life (about three years) if Lord Longford had not come to the rescue in 1931 when serious financial difficulties threatened its closure.
For a period of 25 years, until his death in 1961, he managed and financed a full-time professional company at a time when, apart from the Abbey, state-subsidised theatre was unknown. His company was in residence at the Gate for six months of the year and toured the provinces for the remaining six months. He insisted on a mainly classical repertoire. This, of course, resulted in much financial loss.
The older generation of theatre-goers will remember that, when prices of theatre seats were rising, Lord Longford ensured that there would always be a few rows at the back of the theatre when the price was fixed at one shilling.
Edward Longford was a simple and unworldly man although, at the same time, a considerable classical scholar. He loved the Irish language and his translations of Irish bardic poetry were published in the 1940s.
The Gate is justly proud of its refurbished theatre. The role of Edward Longford and indeed of his wife, Christine, in the survival of the building should never be forgotten. - Yours, etc,